Bottas gives Hamilton space to come through in the Bahrain Grand Prix on team orders

However, it would be fair to say that this weekend in Sochi is imperative for Bottas to get right.

So far the Finn was disappointing in China where he spun behind the safety car, dropped to 12th came home in sixth.

In Australia, he started third and finished third and, while he took pole in Bahrain, he simply did not convert that position.

Sure, the F1 season is only three races old, but whether he likes it or not, Bottas is under pressure.

He had big shoes to fill, as world champion Rosberg’s replacement and while he has been receiving positive comments from his Mercedes team [as of course you would expect], he has yet to give the impression that he can gatecrash the F1 title fight.

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He has also been receiving some nice words too from Hamilton, which reminds me of the old adage that which driver actually likes a team-mate who is quicker than himself.

To his credit, until now Bottas has handled the start to his Mercedes career in the right way. He’s worked hard to learn the team’s practices and procedures and, is genuinely a nice bloke that is liked by the team.

However, in Sochi this weekend it is imperative that he has a solid result.

Valtteri Bottas led teammate Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain – now he needs to deliver in Russia to prove his worth to Mercedes

However, he will need to surpass both those achievements this weekend, for a victory is vital if he is to prove he fully deserves his seat at Mercedes next season and shows he is capable of fighting Vettel and Hamilton for the world title.

If he doesn’t, then it will be increasing difficult to view him than anything other than an obedient No.2 driver behind his team-mate.